Pigskin Palooza at Kyle; ‘Burning Desire’ on big screen

COLLEGE STATION — It might be mid-April, but there’s an awful lot of activity surrounding Texas A&M football this week.

On Thursday afternoon, the Aggies will practice from 4-5:30 p.m., and then the “Pigskin Palooza — an Aggie Student Party at Kyle Field” will follow.

“The support we receive from our students is unbelievable,” A&M coach Mike Sherman said. “… (Students) can be on the sidelines as we go through practice, and then after practice we will hold a College Football Experience.

“The students can do various drills with our position groups, maybe catch passes from Jerrod Johnson, throw TD passes to E.Z. (Uzoma Nwachukwu) or Jeff Fuller or do some drills with Von Miller coming off of the edge as a blitzing linebacker.”

That last one sounds a little bit hairy but, hey, will probably make a good story for the grandkids. In any case, the first 250 students will get coupons for free Fuddrucker’s burgers that will be grilled during practice. The event is sponsored by Fuddrucker’s and Bryan Broadcasting.

“Throughout the post-practice activities, we will conduct drawings for prizes such as bench passes for a couple of home games, a white throwback helmet, a 12th Man jersey with your name on it, and possibly other awards,” Sherman said.

Only current students are allowed to go through the drills, so no funny stuff from any of you Old Ags.

 ‘Burning Desire’

“Burning Desire,” the award-winning documentary put together by A&M’s 12th Man Productions, will be shown at 7 tonight (Tuesday) at the flagship AMC Studio Dunvale Theaters in Houston (2949 Dunvale).

The screening is part of the 43rd Annual WorldFest-Houston International Film and Video Festival. The 12th Man Productions staff will take part in a Q&A afterward.

The Burning Desire looks at the 1999 collapse of the Aggie Bonfire, which killed 12 Aggies and injured 27 others.

“The documentary focuses on how the rivalry football game between the two flagship universities in Texas became an emotional focal point for all affected,” according to a press release.

Tickets are available at worldfest.org and at the box office. The documentary is excellent and a must see for any Aggie who watched Bonfire burn in person through the years — or for any Aggie who’s heard stories about it. I’m honored to have a small part in the film.

 Maroon & White game on Saturday

Finally, the Aggies will play their annual Maroon & White game at 1 p.m. Saturday at Kyle Field. A&M practices today and Thursday before the souped-up scrimmage, and will wrap up spring drills next week with two final practices.

Tickets for the Maroon & White game are $5 for adults. College-aged students and under are admitted free. Also, there will be an autograph session with the players and coaches from 10-11 a.m. in Gilliam Indoor Track Stadium. Starting at 11 a.m., athletic director Bill Byrne will offer his state of the department address in Gilliam. I’ve always found that last one as about the best part of the day — lots of good information from the AD.